精东影业

Mayor Frank Jackson is not backing down from his decision to keep Public Square closed to buses, even though that decision could cost RTA 鈥� Cleveland鈥檚 regional transit authority 鈥� twelve million dollars. The Federal Transit Authority recently sent RTA a letter demanding payment.

RTA confirms they鈥檝e received a letter from the Federal Transit Administration accusing them of a 鈥渂reach of a grant agreement鈥�. This is actually the third letter sent since August.

The Feds say that by re-routing bus service around Public Square, the RTA has failed to comply with terms of a federal grant awarded back in 2004 for construction of the Health Line. Those buses used to run through Public Square, but were re-routed in 2015 to allow for the park鈥檚 reconstruction. In November, Mayor Jackson and RTA CEO Joe Calabrese declared the route change permanent.

The Feds say that鈥檚 not Cleveland鈥檚 call to make. They say the Federal grant legally binds the RTA to provide bus service along Superior Avenue, through Public Square. And if it doesn鈥檛, RTA must pay back a portion of the federal grant. But Mayor Jackson鈥檚 holding firm, citing concerns over security and terrorism.

"Look, we don鈥檛 want RTA to be fined," Jackson said. "But I don鈥檛 want 20, 30, 40, 50 people to be run over by a vehicle in Public Square and I鈥檓 not going to acquiesce or agree to something that does not protect the interests of the public. I鈥檓 not doing that."

The Feds鈥� letter gave RTA thirty days to pay the debt鈥攐r challenge the claim. Jackson says they鈥檙e taking the second option. He says the City and RTA will jointly approach the Feds with a compromise--a plan to reduce costs and congestion, while keeping the Square closed to vehicles. 

But an advocacy committee called the Clevelanders for Public Transit have demanded Jackson reopen the Square immediately. And they鈥檝e threatened legal action if he doesn鈥檛.

Whatever happens, the clock is ticking. Just under three weeks remain until the debt becomes delinquent.